British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday unveiled plans to suspend Parliament until October 14, days ahead of the October 31 Brexit deadline, in order to present what was described as a "new bold and ambitious legislative agenda", a move which has attracted widespread criticism from the Opposition.
Downing Street said Johnson had spoken to Queen Elizabeth II to request an end to the current parliamentary session in its second sitting week next month, starting September 9.
Three Conservative party members of the Queen's Privy Council, the monarch's body of advisers, took the formal request to her Scottish residence at Balmoral Castle on Wednesday morning on behalf of Johnson.
It was then approved, allowing the government to suspend Parliament any time between September 9 and 12 until October 14.
British MPs will now return from their ongoing summer recess next Tuesday and will conclude business by the following week, giving them very little time to table any new legislative measures for debate.
"Following the conclusion of the traditional party conference season, the second session of this Parliament will commence with a Queen's Speech on Monday 14 October," Downing Street said in a statement.
The House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, led the charge against the move, describing it as a "constitutional outrage".
"However it is dressed up, it is blindingly obvious that the purpose of (suspending Parliament) now would be to stop (MPs) debating Brexit and performing its duty in shaping a course for the country," he said.
Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Suspending Parliament is not acceptable, it is not on. What the Prime Minister is doing is a smash and grab on our democracy to force through a no deal."
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